Oscilloscope, affordable?

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Hey guys. Looking to buy an oscilloscope to set my subwoofer amplifier in my car. What can I buy that's not expensive but not worthless?

 

[mrjaw14]

Lab nation

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Not sure what is required for amplifier setup. Do you need to store and review waveforms, or just see live/current signals?

Uscope Basic is 155, Master set at $400. No real storage and review ability, but nice tool.

 

[MarvinBerry]

What are you trying to setup & measure? There are scope apps for smartphones & Windows pc's on the cheap/less accurate side all the way through lab grade super accurate on the expensive side.

 

[PECVD2]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F1H3PG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[joe_pinehill1]

eBay


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I just need to view the wave form live so I can see where the amp is clipping

 

[sreeb]

I just need to view the wave form live so I can see where the amp is clipping

Seems like you could rig something to the mic input of a computer.

 

[American Locomotive]

In that case, you just need a basic analog scope - should be able to find one cheap locally on craigslist for $50 or so. If you want a good electronics scope that's way more than you need but still cheap, you can pick up a Rigol 1054z for $350.

 

[tomwil]

Hantek USB Oscilloscope for PC. $58.40 using coupon SIMPLYSMART.

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/usb-oscilloscope-hantek6022be.html

 

[Mr_B]

owon or one of the mini handheld scopes .
owon pretty good software and be pretty versatile use low cost option

 

[VinceG]

We use the Hantek 1008 and 6074be at work with no issues. We use them for CAN diagnosis.

 

[bwringer]

If you have a laptop computer, there are some good USB oscilloscope interfaces out there like the Hanteks mentioned above. Which are best, I dunno; a lot depends on the software, obviously, but that's the direction I'd go.

I mean, you've probably already got a device on hand with a lot of processing power and a great display, might as well leverage that.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Ok! The hantek ones look very much like what I want. I have a brand new gaming laptop I could utilize. I see the 1008c & 6022bl. What's the difference besides about $40.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Or 1008 a,b,c? 6022 be & bl?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Looking at this:
http://www.hantek.com/en/ProductDetail_13_136.html

Unsure if it would have the resolution to help set the gains of my subwoofer amplifier.

 

[ca90ss]

An oscilloscope is completely unnecessary for setting gains. Just set them by ear and be done with it.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

An oscilloscope is completely unnecessary for setting gains. Just set them by ear and be done with it.

I could find other uses for it I'm just curious if it'll work fine for my amplifier gains setup

 

[ca90ss]

I could find other uses for it I'm just curious if it'll work fine for my amplifier gains setup

Sure, you can set gains with it but you'll still end up adjusting by ear afterwards to balance the output between your sub and other speakers.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Sure, you can set gains with it but you'll still end up adjusting by ear afterwards to balance the output between your sub and other speakers.

Since you seem to know about oscilloscope and I've been reading all I can, can you tell me what this scope would and wouldn't be good for? It seems like a good "start" tool to oscilloscope, I'm sure I'll outgrow it but I want to be able to grow a bit with what I learn.

 

[Mr. VR6]

Are you running multiple amps where you can essentially mute your smaller speakers? If you run the proper sine wave at higher volumes without being able to take the speakers out of the equation while tuning the sub, you will blow the speakers guaranteed.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Are you running multiple amps where you can essentially mute your smaller speakers? If you run the proper sine wave at higher volumes without being able to take the speakers out of the equation while tuning the sub, you will blow the speakers guaranteed.

My speakers are currently powered by my head unit. My subs of course are amped. I do plan to amp my speakers down the line which is the other reason I want to find a decent o scope. I have my HPF set to 80hz so playing sine waves doesn't really do much to them.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Sure, you can set gains with it but you'll still end up adjusting by ear afterwards to balance the output between your sub and other speakers.

So with that scope, I can set gains and do basic automotive measurements within my current skill level? I don't mind spending the $95 if it's something I can learn on and then get something better down the line. I bought a way too advanced DMM years ago because I thought it'd grow with it. When i realized i didn't need all that I bought a good fluke with features I needed. So starting affordable and simple is fine with me as long as I can learn on it without frustration of it being underpowered (featured).

 

[MBfreak]

Suzuki
You wrote "I could find other uses for it I'm just curious if it'll work fine for my amplifier gains setup "
I fully agree. So do not spend money on cheap sampling "attachments" to a PC, or something that makes the mic input on a PC into a "scope"
If you will do the setup of your car stereo stationary, search for an older analog quality scope. A Tektronix 465 would be ideal, it does everything from DC too 120 MHz, has a dual time base and if you are really lucky it has the topbox containing a real good DVM and also functions to measure frequency/time right off dialled in spots on the trace.
Philips made good scopes too, attach a pic of my PM3055. Not at all as good as a TEKTRONIX 465 , but really very useful for amateur use.
My guess is that you can get a decent for below $ 250

Ola

 

[royesses]

The 465 and it variants and the 475/485 are all excellent scopes. I've owned them and loved them. I have a 2465 now. The 2400 series have cursors with on screen readouts. Here is an ebay link for $199.00 for a 2465 b 350 mhz. There are many tek scopes on ebay.:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-...991967&hash=item2883e9c207:g:jYgAAOSwIPZdZqwA

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'd preferably like a handheld one as it will be used for automotive stuff. I'd have to have a cart for those larger machines lol. If I was using indoors I'd invest in one of those for sure!

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I bought an owon dvs3102

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Owon is nice! I actually really enjoy the PC interface. I can't say I can go any farther than with a handheld because they're both portable... but a handheld form factor is a plus over USB. It's light enough & having the computer for screen shots, recordings & internet is a plus here as well. I'm sure eventually I'll end up buying a proper handheld & make this a bench top tool, but for now... it works.

 

[tomwil]

I bought an owon dvs3102

Couldn't find that model.

Did you mean VDS3102 ?

http://www.owon.com.hk/products_owon_vds_series_pc_oscilloscope

 

[Regnar]

For just a subwoofer you could just you the SMD Distortion Detector. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00802PJ7O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

For just a subwoofer you could just you the SMD Distortion Detector. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00802PJ7O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I thought about it but I can do more with the oscope

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Couldn't find that model.



Did you mean VDS3102 ?



http://www.owon.com.hk/products_owon_vds_series_pc_oscilloscope

Yes, my phone's stupid lol

 

[richfinn]

Velleman make affordable DSOs, that are perfect for audio set up, general electronics